Apple to Launch First-Ever Dual-SIM iPhone This Year

Apple plans to launch two high-end iPhones later this year, one of which will be a dual-SIM phone, the company’s first-ever.

This is according to Ming-Chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst who has a credible track record of forecasts about forthcoming Apple hardware.

The analyst believes that the 6.1-inch variant of the iPhone could be priced at $650 to $750 while the single SIM model would cost $550 to $650.

Besides 6.1 inch-iPhone, a 6.5-inch phone likely to be launched in 2018 will also offer dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS) functionality, according to Kuo.

However, the 5.8-inch OLED iPhone, the third phone Apple is rumoured to unleash this year, will not support the feature.

Apple could sell around 100-120 million units 6.1-inch LCD iPhone from Q3 of 2018 to Q3 2018: Kuo.

DSDS would allow the users to switch carriers when travelling and Kuo believes that the feature will help 6.1-inch device claim a major share of smartphone market in China.

Dual-SIM phones are also highly popular in developing markets, including countries Asia in Africa, and South America.

Kuo believes that company’s supply chain will see strong growth in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, and the low price and dual-SIM support of the 6.1-inch iPhone will “significantly boost shipment momentum.”

The analyst predicts that while Apple’s sales will be driven largely by 6.1 LCD iPhone-inch and 6.5 OLED iPhone next year, the 5.8-inch model will fail to make an impact in the market due to its smaller screen lack of dual-SIM support and higher price tag.

Kuo’s expectations from 6.1-inch LCD iPhone are particularly high as he believes that Apple could sell around 100-120 million units of the device from Q3 of 2018 to Q3 2018, which will help it account for 65 to 75 percent of total iPhone shipments during that period.